Small Business Spotlight: Lann Hardware, Aberdeen

The Lann family has been serving the people in and around Aberdeen for 130 years

For more than 130 years, the Lann family in Aberdeen has been in the hardware business.

A historical look at Lann Hardware; first the original building from nearly 100 years ago. Second, the building where the business is today in Aberdeen.

The original store opened in 1879 with Capt. H.J.B. Lann and a man named Carter as the founders.

“Capt. Lann was my great-grandfather, and he’d just come back from the Civil War,” said Walter Lann Jr., who today owns the store with his son, Walter Lann III.

Capt. Lann was a farmer who lived in the Athens community, which was then the county seat of Monroe County, and Carter was a hardware salesman from East Tennessee.

“Captain Lann knew everybody, and Carter must’ve had the money and the knowledge, so they teamed up, established a hardware store and did well,” Lann said.

The business thrived, and the Lanns bought the Carters interest in the business after Carter’s son killed a doctor in an Aberdeen hotel in a jealous rage, Lann said.

“They left here after that,” he said. “There was no fight. Our family never heard from them after that.”

Under the Lanns’ direction, business grew as the decades passed to include lumber and farm equipment sales, and a funeral home.

The only other change in the business occurred from family discord among the Lanns, many of whom were distant relatives and lived outside of Mississippi.

Walter Lann Sr. was the largest stockholder, and he walked away from the family business. Within a week or maybe a month – Lann Jr. isn’t sure exactly how long – the hardware shop was closing and hosting an auction.

On that day, Lann’s father was ready: he and another relative opened Lann Chemical and Supply across the street. The chemical and hardware supply stores are separate entities today, but both remain in business.

“My father was a strict businessman, and I thank God for that today,” Lann said. “He ran a tight ship.”

Today, Walter Lann III is at his father’s side, keeping the family tradition alive.

“Since he got big enough to trail me, he was here,” the elder Lann said. “It’s all he’s ever known, working here.”

Lann said the business remains intact today because of hard work.

“That’s all we know,” he said. “We make a living servicing the community.”

The store has been updated with computers, and Lann has seen other changes in the 55 years he’s worked there.

“There’s so much packaged stuff today,” he said. “You see screws and bolts sold by the box.”

The store has remained independent despite the prevalence today of big box retailers like Home Depot and Lowe’s.

“We’ve been fortunate enough to own our own business. We will be independent – that’s the way we like it…They can’t offer the service we do,” Lann said. “Our employees know the hardware business…We wait on every customer.”

For example, customers may purchase a faucet set from a home improvement store, but will come to Lann’s for help with the parts to install it.

“That’s the key to my business: service,” he said. “We can’t do it without the trust the community has in us.”

2 comments

Walter senior. I have talked to you in the past. My gr. gr. grandfather was yours . Richard andJjoseph were both my family. Then comes joseph m and rohda. From your records it was in 1860. When the lann family didided and moved to many parts of the southern tier . Walter I understand you have pictures of joseph sr,Henry Bonapart I am also a Lann as much as your bloodline WE have lived in Texas almost as long as you have livede in Mississippi. We are proud and honest god fearing people. I am 72 years old T am soon to leave the=is earth . My son is interested in Lann history. I thank you for your pride anhd your honesty. I would be pleasured to send money to have pictures made of all thye Land/ann have nothing to gain in doing this except I am a Lann and Damn proud ofit Thanking you Ned Lann

I recently moved into Aberdeen from the “frozen North” (CT). I do as much business with Lann hardware as possible for the materials and advice I require during the restoration of my old home here. They are HONEST folks and a pleasure to deal with. The employees as well as Walter III are terrific, knowledgeable and always go out of their way to be helpful and accomodating. I am SO GLAD they are here. They are MY “go-to” place for most everything.

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